Jacobs promises to test Bithlo wells for contaminated water

Bithlo residents fear the water in their wells may be contaminated from a long-ago petroleum spill — and some say Orange County isn't doing enough to determine whether they're in danger.

County Mayor Teresa Jacobs told residents who attended a Thursday meeting that the county would pay for all in the affected area of Bithlo to get their water tested.

But some residents say that plan is insufficient because it's unclear whether petroleum leached into wells beyond the area immediately surrounding a gas station off State Road 50 where the leak occurred more than two decades ago.

"I think they need to test every well in Bithlo," said Timothy McKinney, an activist who runs United Global Outreach, a community group devoted to improving conditions in Bithlo.

All 8,000 residents of the east Orange County community get their water from wells. They say it tastes, smells and looks bad.

Jacobs said she understands residents' concerns and hopes that the county will be able to help them quickly.

"I was very pleased at the turnout, and I think that we, in partnership with the Health Department and the Department of Environmental Protection, were able to dispel some rumors and misinformation about the source of the contamination," she said.

She asked those at the meeting whether they wanted county water lines in the community, but a majority of the group opposed that idea.

"Running county water lines out to Bithlo is an expensive proposition and, understandably, a lot of folks there do not favor that option," she said. "For now, the best plan is to help them get their water tested so they can have some peace of mind."